Police on alert as intel says Hizb may target NIA officer

On Sep 1, 2017

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At a time when the National Investigation Agency is probing the chain of players behind the alleged financing of secessionist activities, militant group Hizbul Mujahideen has reportedly tasked one of its top commanders based in north Kashmir to target an officer of the agency.The J&K Police have already alerted its men on the ground about the threat and asked officers to ensure comprehensive security for the NIA officers during their stay in Kashmir.

Top police sources said Hizb supreme commander Syed Salahuddin, who is based in Muzaffarbad, has tasked Parvaiz Ganai, alias Mubashir, who is based in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district, to target an NIA officer.“Yes, as per our input, Hizb commander has been tasked to target an NIA officer. We have taken all necessary safety measures,” a J&K police officer said, wishing not to be named.

“The info has been shared with the agencies concerned.”After a series of raids by the NIA for more than a month, it arrested in July seven separatists, including Hurriyat hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah, alias Fantoosh, Geelani’s political secretary Peer Saifullah and Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar.The others arrested by the NIA include National Front chairman and suspended provincial president of the hardline Hurriyat Nayeem Ahmad Khan and former militant commander and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Farooq Ahmad Dar, alias Bitta Karate.

In August, the NIA also arrested prominent Srinagar businessman Zahoor Watali from New Delhi. Watali is suspected of acting as a conduit for illegally remitting funds to secessionists.While Watali is in police custody, Altaf Funtoosh, Peer Saifullah and Nayeem Khan are in judicial custody.